Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs’ dwelling on Chicago’s North Aspect was defaced with paint by a bunch of individuals early Tuesday, simply hours after pro-Palestinian activists staged a protest exterior a fundraiser for him at a downtown bar due to his oversight of the state’s investments in Israel.
Chicago police mentioned the incident at Frerichs’ dwelling within the Lakeview neighborhood was “defaced by use of paint” about 4 a.m. Tuesday. No accidents have been reported and nobody was in custody.
Frerichs workplace mentioned the vandalism occurred throughout a protest exterior the treasurer’s dwelling.
“Everybody has the correct to peacefully protest and petition their authorities for change. This was not a peaceable protest. These activists meant to trigger concern and intimidation by way of scare ways,” Frerichs mentioned in an announcement. “They threatened my twin 1-year-old boys. They defaced our dwelling and our sons’ toys with pink paint, they usually wore masks and shone a lightweight at a safety digicam to defend their faces.
Palestinian supporters have criticized the U.S. relationship with Israel due to its conduct within the warfare on Hamas. After final October’s assault by Hamas militants on Israel, Frerichs introduced an extra $30 million in investments by his workplace in Israel bonds. Since Frerichs turned treasurer in 2015, the state has made greater than $120 million in investments with the nation, his workplace has mentioned.
“I stand by the funding choices I’ve made as treasurer,” Frerichs mentioned in his assertion Tuesday, which got here as Iran launched a missile assault on Israel. “I proceed to imagine, as Iran’s missiles rain down on our necessary ally, that Israel has the correct to defend itself. And I proceed to hope for a negotiated decision that may carry lasting peace to the area.”
In a November 2023 information launch saying $20 million of the extra $30 million in Israel Bonds, Frerichs mentioned the “funding reveals our robust dedication to Israel and its individuals.”
“My workplace has invested in Israel Bonds as a result of they (diversify) the state’s portfolio, obtain good returns, supply a secure funding, and to affirm the particular relationship between Illinois and the one democracy within the Center East,” Frerichs mentioned.
On Monday, a number of hours earlier than his dwelling was defaced, the CODEPINK group, a women-led anti-war nonprofit, led a protest exterior Pleasure District, a downtown bar the place Frerichs held a fundraiser.
In an edited video posted by the group on Instagram, a lady on the occasion tried to ask Frerichs why his workplace invests in Israel Bonds.
“That is my tax {dollars} that you simply’re investing. You’re the treasurer, so I wish to know what are these bonds going for? And why are you investing in a genocidal nation?” the lady requested. “Like, take a look at our public faculties in Chicago. Take a look at our roads. You’ve gotten homeless individuals on each nook. So what’s that $30 million you invested?
Frerichs tried strolling away as the lady repeatedly tried to get him to clarify the investments in Israel Bonds.
Later within the video, the sound of a lady’s voice is shouting Frerichs’ title in what seems to be the identical venue. “That is our neighborhood’s cash that you simply’re investing right into a genocidal expansionist colonial state!” the particular person shouted as somebody tried to get her to go away.
A spokesperson for CODEPINK mentioned the group didn’t know something concerning the incident at Frerichs’ dwelling, and declined additional remark.
In response to The Related Press, Israel’s marketing campaign in Gaza has claimed the lives of greater than 39,600 Palestinians and wounded over 91,700. The warfare started when Hamas militants from Gaza stormed into Israel on Oct. 7 final yr, killing about 1,200 individuals.
